Kenya’s government is set to review its charter incentives programme to incorporate low-cost carriers and scheduled flights, as a way to boost tourism numbers in the country.
Since the launch of the programme in 2016, the government has recorded growth in tourism numbers to its coastal regions. “This move would not only strengthen our destination’s brand visibility as a whole in the source markets, but increase visitor numbers. It will allow us to venture into joint marketing initiatives with the airline operator and the travel agents’ consortia,” said Jonathan Mbiyu, Kenya Tourism Board Regional Marketing Manager, on behalf of Joe Okudo, Tourism Permanent Secretary (PS), reports The Exchange.
Mbiyu made the statement on behalf of the PS during the reception of the LOT Polish charter, carrying 252 passengers.
The charter will operate two weekly flights to Mombasa, translating to around 500 additional visitors to the Kenyan coast every week.
The Exchange reports Mbiyu saying: “Within the charter period (November to March, 2019), Kenya shall have received about 8 000 arrivals into Mombasa, a major boost to the tourist numbers into the region.”
Poland has continued to show growth as a source market for Kenya, with 11 947 arrivals recorded from Poland last year, up from 9 572 recorded in 2016, indicating a 24.8% increase.
According to Mbiyu on behalf of the PS, air connectivity was a key component in boosting arrivals into the country, owing to ease of access, and pointed out that the government is prepared to venture into joint promotion with travel agents to increase travel demand.
Since the launch of the charter incentives programme in 2016, the number of charters has risen from one, being Condor Airlines, to 10 at present.
The number of charters is expected to increase towards the end of the year, with Mbiyu expressing optimism that the revised programme would see an expansion covering two international airports in the country for diverse tourism product experience.
